Doyal Richerson

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the unexpected death of employee Doyal Richerson on October 18. He was 71.

For 22 years, Doyal served in the Army and retired as Master Sergeant. During retirement, he worked almost the same amount of years in the field of security. At the time of his passing, Doyal was a senior security guard at WHOI. He had been working at WHOI since May of 2006.

Anyone who met Doyal immediately gravitated to him because of his great personality and wonderful sense of humor. Traveling in the U.S., watching movies, decorating for the holidays, and listening to music, especially Elvis, were some of his favorite pastimes. His true passion was his family. He adored both his children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them.

In addition to his wife, to whom he was married 46 years, he is survived by his children, Doyal (Heather) of Weymouth, Mass.; John (Terri Walsh) of Marstons Mills, Mass.; Paul of Hollywood, FL; Tricia (John Turchinetz) of Plymouth, Mass.; Katie (Les Pittsley) of Taunton, Mass.; and Nikolas of Sandwich, Mass.; his grandchildren, Hunter, Alexis, Sophia, Jake, Kempton, Nathan, Lyla, Silas, and Amber; and his sister, Helene Richerson of Somerville, Mass.

Visiting hours will be from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, October 23, at John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Marstons Mills. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, October 24, at Corpus Christi Church, 324 Quaker Meeting House Rd, East Sandwich, followed by burial at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at www.autismspeaks.org or www.standup2cancer.org.